Cooling arrangement for refrigerating apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Alfred G. Janos,

A. s. JANOS v z z 1 n %/r /V 1/ n/ 1 N I l I am m x w l July 7, 1953 Filed Oct. 3, 1950 y J H is Attorney.

July 7, 1953 v A. G. JANOS 2,644,320

COOLING ARRANGEMENT FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pig. 2.

a 1.9 2 i L x r f 7 1- L i 5 D 5%; i i ,4- 31 i Z 5% 5 a i 13- I $1 a =J 20 Iriventor": Alfred G. Janos,

His Att orney.

" It is a further object vide an improved arrangement for utilizing the Patented July 7, 1953 COOLING ARRANGEMENT FOR BEFRIG- ERATING APPARATUS Alfred G. Janos, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 3, 1950, Serial'N0. 188,222

My invention relates to refrigerators and more particularly to cooling arrangements for refrigerating apparatus associated therewith.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement for dissipating heat from refrigerating apparatus.

It is'another object-of my invention to provide a refrigerator having spaced walls and including animproved arrangement for circulating air within the spaced walls for assisting in the dis- 1 sipation of heat from the refrigerating apparatus.

of my invention to proside walls of a refrigerator cabinet more effectively for heat dissipation.

1 It is still another object of my invention to provide a refrigerator having a refrigerating unit enclosed within the insulation space and including an improved arrangement for cooling the refrigerating unit.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following de-- scription proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming partof this specification. V

In carrying out the objects of my invention a condenser is arranged in a conventional manner adjacent to or on the rear portion of the outer wall of the refrigerator cabinet. --The insulation between the spaced walls of the cabinet is arranged to provide a'passage extending adjacent the rear portionof the outer wall of the cabinet and adjacent one or bothside portions of the 12' Claims. (01. 62-1174) ing an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is. a view taken-along the line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, taken alongthe line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of my invention; Fig. 5 is a side elevation view partly in section of a refrigerator cabinet including another form' of my invention; Fig. 6 is a view taken along the-line 6'6 in Fig. 5; andFig. 7 is a view taken along the-line 1- -1 in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a refrigerator I having an outer wall 2 and an inner wall 3 spaced from the outer wall 2. The space between the inner and outer walls is substantially filled with a heat-insulating material 4. The inner wall 3 is shaped to define a food storage compartment 5. andthe access opening of this compartment is closed by a door 6. An evaporator 1 is provided for cooling the food storage compartment 5. I

In order to supply refrigerant to the evaporator 1 for cooling the compartment 5, a refrigerating unit 8 is positioned within a machinery compartment 9 at the bottom of the refrigerator.

'A volatile refrigerant is supplied in a convenouter'wall of thefcabinet, forming a continuous path for circulation of air through the passage for absorbing heat from the'rear wall and from the condenser and. dissipating this heat to the side portions of the outer wall. A portion of the condenser may be disposedin a section of the passage adjacent the .rear portion of the outer wall for assisting upward movement of the air in this passage and hence assistingcirculation of air through the passage. In a modified form of my invention arefrigerating unit is arranged within theinsulationspace between the inner and outer walls and is disposed Within the air circulatlngpass-age in this insulation space for the dissipation of heat from the refrigerating unit to the air circulating thereover.

For a better, understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 isa front elevation view, partly .in section, of a refrigerator-cabinet includment to a plate or sheet I2. is mounted on the rear portion [3 of the'outer wall '2 'of the cabinet by flanges I 4 which are "secured to the outer wall by screws or in any other suitable manner; During the operation of the refrigerating apparatus heat is dissipated by the condenser I0 and, because of the position'of the condenser, some of this heatwill be received series through a condenser l0 and the evaporator I. The condenser l0 includes a plurality of turns of tubing ll secured in a serpentine arrange- The condenser 10 by the rear portion ['3 of the outer wall 2." Because; of the heat'dissipated thereto from the condenser l 0 the rear portion l3 of the outer wall normally, runs a substantially higher temperature thanthe side portions :4 and I5. In order to transfer some of the heat from the rear por tion I'3 to the side portion [4 I have provided a continuous passage 16 within the space between the inner and-outer walls. The heat-insulating material 4 within this space is shaped to provide channels therein ,whichform the continuous pas.- sage I6. If desired, any othersuitable arrangement can beemployed for providingthis continuous passage other than the convenient 'method'suggested'of forming channels in the insulation itselff The continuous passage 16includes a section I! which extends from the bot tom to the top of the refrigerator adjacent the rear portion I3 of the outer wall 2, and is thus generally vertical, and a second section I8 which extends vertically, or in a generally vertical direction, adjacent the side portion I4 of the outer wall and relatively remote from the condenser If]. A portion of the section I! may be inclined as shown to increase the spacing between this section and the evaporator l. The continuous passage I6 further includes a short horizontal section l9 connecting the vertical sections I! and I8 at the top and a horizontal section 23 connecting these vertical sections at thebottom. By the arrangement just described a. natural circulation of air is secured upwardly through the vertical section I! of the passage I6 across the top of the refrigerator and downwardly through the section I8 of the passage. Heat is received-by the air circulating in the passage I6 from the rear portion I3 of the outer wall and thus also from the condenser I6 and this heat is dissipated to the side'portion M of the outer wall as the air moves downwardly through the section I3. In lieu of the position shown for the section I8 this section of the passage I6 can be located in an area which may be subject to exterior sweating, for example, the area at the outer wall in the region of the access opening, heat transferred tively in the columns 22, 23, and 24. If desired,

the outer barriers 2I maybe omitted and the side walls-28 of the condenser sheet l2 may be utilized instead. Heat from the portion 29 of the condenser within the column 23 is to a large extent transferred to the air within the section I! of the passage I6 and is carried to and dissipated to the side portion I4 of the outer wall through the section I8. The provision of the passage I6 in the manner described, by transferring heat from the rear portion I3 of the outer wall and from the condenser to the normally cooler side portion I4 of the outer wall, reduces the operating temperature of the condenser I0 and thereby increases the efliciency of the refrigerating apparatus. If desired, two passages may be provided, one including a section adjacent the rear portion of the outer wall and another section adjacent one 'of the side portions of the outer wall and relatively remote from the condenser and the other passage including a section adjacent the rear portion of the outer wall and a second sectionadjacent the other side portion of the outer wall and also relatively remote from the condenser. This increases the heat transfer from the rear portion of the outer wall and from the condenser by utilizing both side portions. If two such passages are employed they may be arranged inthe manner illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

A modified form of my invention in which the condenser is secured to the interior of the rear portion [3 of the outer wall is shown in Fig. 4. In this modified form the condenser I0 includes tubing II arranged in serpentine form and secured directly to the rear portion I3 of the outer wall. Barriers 2| are provided in spaced relationship between the rear portion I3 of the outer wall and the heat-insulating material 4, and the condenser is arranged with sections in each of the vertical columns formed by these spaced barriers 2|, as in the form previously described. A continuous passage I6 corresponding to the passage IS in the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is provided, this passage including a corresponding section I? adjacent the rear wall I3 and a corresponding section 18 adjacent the side portion I4 and relatively remote from the condenser. If desired, two passages may be employed arranged in the manner to be described in connection with Figs. 5, 6, and '7.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 there is shown a modified form of my invention in which air circulating passages of the general type described above are utilized not only for assisting heat dissipation from the rear portion of the outer wall and from the condenser but also forcirculating air over an enclosed refrigerating unit for cooling the unit. The same numerals have been employed to designate corresponding parts in Figs. 5, 6,

and 7 and in, Figs. 1, 2. and 3. In the form-shown in Figs. 5, 6, and '7 arefrigerating unit 8', in lieu of being placed in the machinery compartment .at the bottom portion of the refrigerator, is positioned at the top rear portion of the refrigerator Within a space 29 between the inner and outer walls. As in the form previously described, a condenser IE is provided, this condenser including a plurality of turns of tubing II secured in a serpentine'arrangement to the interior of the rear portion I3 of the outer wall. The refrigerating unit 3' may be supported on the rear portion I3 of the outer Wall by brackets 30, secured to the rear portion I3, and springs 3].

The inner wall 3 is curved, as indicated at 32, to provide an enlarged space for receiving the refrigerating unit 8. The rear wall of the evap.. orator l is curved in a complementary manner, to conform to the curvature 32 of the inner wall. The disposition of the refrigerating unit 8' in the manner described above provides a compact arrangement which allows the food storage compartment 5 to extend substantially to the bottom of the refrigerator. At the same time the arranging of the refrigerating unit 3 within the insulation space between the inner and outer walls acts to muflle the noise resulting from the operation of the refrigerating unit and, hence, to reduce the noise level below that present when the refrigeratin unit is positioned outside the insulation space in a conventional manner. However, it is, of course, necessary to provide some means for cooling the refrigerating unit within the enclosed area between the inner and outer Walls. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 the heat-insulating material 4 is arranged to provide two continuous passages 33 and 34 extending adjacent the outer wall of the refrigerator for providing circulation of air over the refrigerating unit to cool this unit. These passages, as in a form previously described, also facilitate transfer of heat from the rear portion I3 of the outer wall and from the con denser to the side portions I4 and. I 5 of the outer wall. The passage 33 includes a vertical section 35 disposed adjacent the rear portion I3 of the outer wall and a second vertical section 36 located' adjacent the side portion I4 of the outer wall. The sections 35 and 36 are connected at the bottom by horizontal section 3'I and at the top by a section 38 to provide a continuous passage for circulation of air. With this arrange-v ment there is a natural circulation of air upwardly through the section 35 adjacent the rear portion 7 of the outer wall and downwardly through the section 36 adjacent the side portion l4 of the outer wall, the air flowing over the refrigerating unit 8 and transferring heat from the refrigerating unit 8 and also from the rear portion of the outer wall to the side portion l4 of the outer wall. The continuous passage 34 similarly includes a vertical section 39 adjacent the rear portion 13 of the outer wall, a vertical section 40 adjacent the side portion l5 of the outer wall, the connecting top section 38, and a connecting bottom section 4|.

Four partitions or barrier 42 are provided in spaced relationship along the interior of the rear portion l3 of the outer wall, thereby providing vertical columns 43, 44, and 45 between the rear portion l3 of the outer wall and the heat-insulating material 4. The condenser I is arranged so that portions 46, 41, and 48 are disposed respectively in the vertical columns 43, 44, and

45. The vertical column 43 forms the rear section 35 of the continuous passage 33 and accordingly'the portion 46 of the condenser is positioned within. this rear section of the passage 33. The heat from the portion 46 of the condenser causes the air in'this vertical column. 43 to rise and thereby; assists in promoting circulation of air through the passage 33. Air circulates upwardly through the section 35, across the top through the section 538 and over the unit 8' downwardly through the section 36 adjacent to side portion l4and back to the section 35 through the lower horizontal section. The vertical column 45 similarly forms the rear section 39 of the passage'34 and the condenser portion 48 disposed within the rear section 39 also assists in causing air circula-v tion upwardly through the section 39 and through the passage l8. Air passes upwardly through the section 39 adjacent a rear portion of the outer wall, ;over the refrigerating unit 8 and then downwardly through the section 40 ofthe passage 34, dissipating heat received from the refrigerating unit and from the condenser to the side portion I of the outer wall. The side portions l4 and I5 normally operate at a substantially lower temperature than the rear portion of the outer wall, because of the presence "of the condenser adjacent the latter portion. By this arrangement not only is heat removed from the refrigerating unit 8' but heat is also transferred from the condenser to the side portions of the outer wall, reducing the operating temperature of the condenser and increasing the efficiency of the refrigerating apparatus. The portion 41 of the condenser arranged between the inner bar,- riers 42 isout of circulating communication with both of the passages 33 and 34 and the heat of the refrigerating fluid in this portion of the condenser is dissipated directly to the rear portion 13 of the outer wall. 7 q a It can be seen that I have provided a compact arrangement in which the refrigerating unitis disposed within the insulation between the inner and outer walls of the refrigerator, reducing the noise level, and at the same time I have provided for a natural circulation of air in passages in the insulation space between the inner and outer walls for removing heat from the refrigerating unit and also for assisting in the dissipation of heat from the condenser. These passages can be conveniently provided by merely shaping the heat-insulating material 4 to provide such passages along the side and bottom'portions, the passages adjacent the rear portion I3 are being provided by the partitions 42 which assist in spacing the heat-insulating material 4 from the rear portion l3 of the outer wall. The forming of the insulation to provide the channels for air circulation is a convenient method for securing the air-circulating passages, but, if desired, specific barriers may be provided to space the insulation from the outer wall, forming the air circulating passages. While I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend, by the appended claims, to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Arefrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heat-insulating material, in the space between said walls, and a condenser disposed in the region of said rear-portion of said outer wall whereby heat is transferred from said condenser to said rear portion of said outer wall, means defining a continuous passage within said space, said passage including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portionof said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom and a generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said one of said side portions whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said one of said side portions of said outer wall.

2. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall'spaced from said outer wall, heat-insulating material in the space between said walls, and a condenser disposed in the region of said rear portion of said outer wall whereby heat is transferred from said condenser to said rear portion of said outer wall, means defining two continuous passages within said space for affording circulation of air, one of said passages including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom anda generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said one of said side portions, the other of said passages including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom and a generally vertical section adjacent the other of said side portions of said outer wall passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said other of said side portions, whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said side portions of said outer wall.

' 3. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an innerwall spaced from said outer wall, heatinsulating material in the space between said walls, and a condenser mounted on said rear portion of said outer Wall andspaced therefrom,whereby heat is transferred from said condenser to said rearportion of said outer wall, means defining a continuous passage within said space, said passageincluding a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom'and a generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to one of said side portions whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said one of said side portions of said outer wall.

'4. A refrigerator including an outer wall haying a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heatinsulating material in the space between said walls, and a condenser disposed in the space between said walls and secured to said rear portion of said outer wall whereby heat is transferred from said condenser to said rear portion of said outer wall, means defining a continuous passage within said space, said passage including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom and a generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said one of said side portions whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of Cir Said outer wall and from said condenser to said ferred from said condenser to said rear portion of said outer wall, meansdefining two continuous passages within said space for affording circulation of air, one of said passages including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for, passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion .to receive heat therefrom and a generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said one of said side portions, the other of said passages including ,a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom and a generally vertical section adjacent the other of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for passing air downwardly to dissipate heat to said other of said side portions, whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said side portions of said outer wall.

6. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heatinsulating material in the space. between said walls, a condenser disposed in the space between said walls and secured to the rear portion of said outer wall, means defining two continuous passages within said space for affording circulation of air, each of said passages including a generally vertical first section adjacent said rear portion of said outer Wall for passing air upwardly adjacent said rear portion to receive heat therefrom, a portion of said condenser being disposed within each of said first sections of each of said passages, one of said passages including a generally vertical second section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser for dissipation of heat to said side portion of said outer wall, the other of said passages including a generally vertical second section adjacent the other of said side portions of said outer Wall and relatively remote from said condenser for dissipation of heat to said other of said side portions of said outer wall, whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said side portions of said outer wall;

7. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall,*heat insulating material in the space between said walls, a condenser disposed in the space be-' tween said Walls and secured to said rear portion of said outer wall, partitions adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for providing three parallel vertical columns each having a portion of said condenser positioned therein, means defining a continuous first passage within said space for affording circulation of air, said first passage including one of said columns and a generally vertical section extending adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser, and means defining a continuous second passage within said space for affording circulation of air, said second passage including another of said columns and a generally vertical section extending adjacent the other of said side portions of said outer wall and relatively remote from said condenser, whereby heat is transferred from said rear portion of said outer wall and from said condenser to said side portions of said outer wall.

8. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heatinsulating material in the space between said walls, and a refrigerating unit positioned within said space at the top rear portion of said refrigerator, means defining a passage within said space for affording circulation of air over said unit, said passage including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly and over said unit and a generally vertical section adja cent one of said side portions of said outer wall for passing air downwardly and dissipating heat therefrom.

' 9. A refrigerator including an outer wall having arear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heat-insulatin material in the space between said walls, and a refrigerating unit positioned within said space at the top rear portion of said refrigerator, means defining two passages within said space for aifordin circulation of air over said unit, one of said passages including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly and over said unit and a generally vertical section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall for passing air downwardly and dissipating heat therefrom, the other of said passages including a generally vertical section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly and over said unit and a generally vertical section adjacent the other side portion of said outer wall for passing air downwardly and dissipating heat \therefrom.

10. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heat-insulating material in the space between said walls, a refrigerating unit positioned in said space at the top rear portion of said refrigerator, and a condenser secured to said rear portion of said outer wall within said space, means defining a passage within said space for circulation of air over said refrigerating unit to cool said unit, said passage including a generally vertical first section adjacent a rear portion of said outer wall for passing air upwardly and over said unit and a generally vertical second section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall for passing air downwardly and. dissipating heat therefrom, at least a'portion of said condenser being disposed within said first section of said passage.

11. A refrigerator including an outer wall hav ing a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heat-insulating material in the space between said walls,

a refrigerating unit positioned in said space at the top rear portion of said refrigerator, a condenser secured to the rear portion of said outer wall within said space, means defining two passages within said space'for'circulation of air over said refrigerating unit to cool said unit, each of said passages including a generally vertical first section adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall, a portion of said condenser being disposed within each of said first sections of each of said passages, one of said passages including a' generally vertical second section adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall for dissipation of heat to said one of said side portions of 10 7 said outer wall, the other of said passages including a generally vertical second section adjacent the other of said side portions of said outer wall for dissipation of heat to said other of said side portions of said outer wall.

12. A refrigerator including an outer wall having a rear portion and two side portions, an inner wall spaced from said outer wall, heat insulating material in the space between said walls, a refrigerating unit positioned in said space at v the top rear portion of said refrigerator; a condenser secured to said rear portion of said outer wall within said space, partitions adjacent said rear portion of said outer wall for providing three parallel vertical columns each having a portion of said condenser positioned therein, means defining a first passage within said space for affording circulation of air over said refrigerating unit, said first passage including one of said columns and a generally vertical section extending adjacent one of said side portions of said outer wall, and means defining a second passage for affording circulation of air over said refrigerating unit, said second passage including another of said columns and a generally vertical section extending adjacent the other of said side por-,

tions of said outer wall.

ALFRED G. JANOS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,108,478 Eaker et al Feb. 15, 1938 2,157,754 Gould May 9, 1939 2,171,621 Burch Sept. 5, 1939 2,280,554 Steenstrup Apr. 21, 1942 2,391,507 Phillip Dec. 25, 1945 

